Thursday, September 18, 2014

Wrigley Field in Chicago

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Thursday night, Zack Greinke (15 – 8, 2.64 ERA) gets the call for the Los Angeles Dodgers as they face Tsuyoshi Wada (4 -3, 3.34 ERA) and the Chicago Cubs.    It will be the 30th start for Greinke and the 12th start for Wada. 

Zack Greinke pitched a gem in his last outing and his performance earned him the win.  Greinke held the opposition scoreless over 6 innings and allowed just 4 hits.  He struck out 5 without issuing any walks.   Greinke has been solid his last few times out and owns a 4 -3 record in his last 10 starts.  In 2013, Greinke went 15 – 4 with a 2.63 ERA in 28 starts.

Last season, Greinke beat the Cubs in his only start against them after holding Chicago to 2 runs and 5 hits in 8.2 innings.  Chicago is batting .297 against Greinke with 19 hits, a homer and 9 RBIs in 64 at-bats.

Tsuyoshi Wada had a rough trip to the hill his last time out and it led to a loss for the Japanese lefty.  Wada was lit up for 4 runs and 9 hits in just 4.1 innings.  He walked 2 batters and struck out 2.  He could have still been suffering from the effects of a mild left calf strain that cut his previous start short.  Wada has given the Cubs some decent innings since coming up from Triple-A Iowa and is 4 - 3 in his last 10 appearances.  At Iowa, he was 10 – 6 with a 2.77 ERA in 18 starts and a relief appearance.

Wada has faced the Dodgers once earlier this season and he ended up with a no-decision in that start after allowing 2 runs and 6 hits (including a homer) in 5.2 innings.                  

Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Trends

Los Angeles Dodgers are 74-70-7 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Los Angeles Dodgers is 0.6

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

Chicago Cubs are 76-68-7 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Chicago Cubs is -0.5

Injuries to Watch

Los Angeles Dodgers

09/17/14 SS Hanley Ramirez Elbow is downgraded to doubtful Wednesday vs. Colorado Rockies
09/13/14 P Hyun-Jin Ryu Shoulder out indefinitely
08/07/14 P Josh Beckett Hip 60-day DL (8/4); out for season
08/06/14 P Chris Perez Ankle 15-day DL (8/4)
08/03/14 P Paul Maholm Knee 60-day DL (8/2), out for season
06/18/14 P Chad Billingsley Elbow 60-day DL (3/19), out for season
06/15/14 3B Chone Figgins Quad 15-day DL (6/14)
06/07/14 P Chris Withrow Elbow 60-day DL (5/21)
03/27/14 P Onelki Garcia Elbow 60-day DL (3/14)

Chicago Cubs

09/03/14 SS Starlin Castro Ankle out for season
08/30/14 CF Justin Ruggiano Ankle 60-day DL (8/23), out for season
08/28/14 RF Ryan Sweeney Hamstring 60-day DL (8/26)
08/21/14 P Edwin Jackson Shoulder 15-day DL (8/21)
08/10/14 P Brian Schlitter Shoulder 15-day DL (8/9)
03/31/14 P James McDonald Shoulder 60-day DL (2/23)

Josh's Pick: Take Los Angeles

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